TV channels & antenna towers in Manhattan, New York

Manhattan has 58 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 40 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W09CZ-D, 1.1 miles to the SSE.

58TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
1.1 mito the closest tower
1,487,536population

Network channels in Manhattan

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
MeTVWJLPMeTV33.1 2.2 mi209° SSW StrongMiddletown Township, NJ
IONWPXU-LDION35 2.2 mi181° S GoodAmityville, NY
ABCWABC-TVABC7 2.6 mi203° SSW StrongNew York, NY
CWWPIXCW11 2.6 mi203° SSW StrongNew York, NY
UNIWXTV-DTUnivision41 2.6 mi203° SSW StrongPaterson, NJ
CBSWCBS-TVCBS2 5.5 mi207° SSW StrongNew York, NY
FOXWNYWFox5 5.5 mi207° SSW StrongNew York, NY
NBCWNBCNBC4 5.5 mi207° SSW StrongNew York, NY
TLMWNJUTelemundo47 5.5 mi207° SSW StrongLinden, NJ
IONWPXN-TVION31 5.5 mi207° SSW StrongNew York, NY
ABCWTNHABC8 69 mi50° NE PoorNew Haven, CT

Over-the-air TV in Manhattan

With roughly 1,490,000 residents, Manhattan is a city in New York. Our map shows 58 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 23 full-power, 5 Class A, 25 low-power and 5 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 40 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 34 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 40 transmitters are within 25 miles, 5 between 25 and 45 miles, and 13 farther out. Six of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to New York, so most of the network channels you will find here come from New York's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 7 (WABC-TV), CBS on channel 2 (WCBS-TV), NBC on channel 4 (WNBC), Fox on channel 5 (WNYW), CW on channel 11 (WPIX), ION on channel 31 (WPXN-TV), Telemundo on channel 47 (WNJU), Univision on channel 41 (WXTV-DT) and MeTV on channel 33.1 (WJLP). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 13 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Which way to point your antenna in Manhattan

Point your antenna SSW, at about 206°. The main network towers for Manhattan sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Five network stations, WCBS-TV, WNYW, WNBC, WNJU and WPXN-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 5.5 miles southwest of Manhattan (207° SSW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Manhattan at fair strength or better, all arrive from the southwest, so this is an easy place to aim.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Manhattan, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Manhattan

The farthest main network tower for Manhattan is WNYW (Fox), 5.5 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

W09CZ-D is only 1.1 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.

Other stations near Manhattan

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 47; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
W09CZ-DLow power1.1 mi 167° SSEStrongRoslyn, NY
WNYE-TVFull power2.2 mi 209° SSWStrongNew York, NY
WNYK-LDLow power2.2 mi 181° SGoodTeaneck, NJ
WNMF-LDLow power2.2 mi 181° SGoodNew York, NY
WHTV-LDLow power2.2 mi 181° SStrongNew York, NY
WNYD-LDLow power2.2 mi 181° SGoodNew York, NY
W02CY-DLow power2.2 mi 181° SGoodNew York, NY
WXNY-LDLow power2.6 mi 203° SSWGoodNew York, NY
WDYJ-LDLow power2.6 mi 203° SSWStrongNew York, NY
WFUT-DTFull power2.6 mi 203° SSWStrongNewark, NJ
WTBY-TVFull power2.6 mi 203° SSWStrongJersey City, NJ
WDYA-LDLow power2.6 mi 203° SSWStrongNew York, NY
WDVB-CDClass A2.6 mi 203° SSWStrongEdison, NJ
WNYZ-LDLow power2.8 mi 155° SSEGoodNew York, NY
WMBQ-CDClass A5.5 mi 207° SSWPoorNew York, NY
WNETFull power5.5 mi 207° SSWGoodNewark, NJ
WNWT-LDLow power5.5 mi 207° SSWGoodNew York, NY
WLIWFull power5.5 mi 207° SSWStrongGarden City, NY
WMBC-TVFull power5.5 mi 207° SSWStrongNewton, NJ
WKOB-LDLow power5.5 mi 207° SSWGoodNew York, NY
WNDT-CDClass A5.5 mi 207° SSWGoodManhattan, NY
WRNN-TVFull power5.5 mi 207° SSWStrongNew Rochelle, NY
WWOR-TVFull power5.5 mi 207° SSWStrongSecaucus, NJ
WASA-LDLow power5.5 mi 207° SSWGoodPort Jervis, NY
WEPT-CDClass A12 mi 11° NGoodPeekskill, NY

How Manhattan compares with the rest of New York

With 40 stations at fair strength or better, Manhattan ranks 63rd of 1,012 places in New York: more than the typical New York town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 2.2 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

34% of New York's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is New York City, 5.2 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Manhattan: step by step

  1. Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
  2. Point it toward 207° SSW, the direction of WNYW (Fox), 5.5 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 40 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Manhattan, NY?

ABC is on channel 7 from WABC-TV, broadcasting from 2.6 miles SSW of Manhattan. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Manhattan, NY?

CBS is on channel 2 from WCBS-TV, broadcasting from 5.5 miles SSW of Manhattan. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in Manhattan, NY?

NBC is on channel 4 from WNBC, broadcasting from 5.5 miles SSW of Manhattan. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Manhattan, NY?

Fox is on channel 5 from WNYW, broadcasting from 5.5 miles SSW of Manhattan. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Manhattan, NY?

CW is on channel 11 from WPIX, broadcasting from 2.6 miles SSW of Manhattan. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Manhattan?

58 transmitters within 70 miles of Manhattan; around 40 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor antenna. Each station usually carries several subchannels, so the total channel count after a scan is higher.

Which direction should I point my TV antenna in Manhattan?

Point your antenna SSW, at about 206°. The main network towers for Manhattan sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Manhattan?

Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Manhattan?

W09CZ-D is only 1.1 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Manhattan?

Yes. The free RCA Signal Finder app for iPhone and Android uses your phone's GPS and compass to show which way each tower is from where you stand.

TV channels in nearby New York cities

Nearby cities in other states

More: all TV stations in New York · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Manhattan; signal estimates ignore terrain.